Partner Churches Raise $60,000 for Scholarships

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Churches partnering with Duke Divinity School to limit clergy debt have raised more than $60,000 for student scholarships.

The 58 churches, located across the U.S. and also including one church in Korea, are part of the school’s “Celebrating God’s Call” program to expand student scholarships. The program asks all Master of Divinity students to encourage their home congregations to support them with prayers and financial assistance. [See list of partner churches (pdf).]

The program is part of a larger initiative funded by a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant to address economic issues facing future ministers. Personal financial pressures are limiting the ability of seminary graduates to accept calls to Christian ministry and undermining the effectiveness of many clergy members, according to the initiative, which encourages theological schools to work to improve the financial well-being of future pastors.

“Through the grant from the Lilly Endowment, Duke Divinity School is able to focus strategically on the economic challenges facing students and future ministers,” said the Rev. Rhonda Parker, senior director of ministerial formation and student life at the school. “We are especially grateful for churches who partner with us by participating in Celebrating God’s Call. The church’s participation affirms the value of an academically rigorous education for future church leaders.”

The Divinity School also has a task force that studies clergy and student indebtedness and a "Mentoring 4 Ministry" program that offers student workshops on topics that include stewardship and financial management. In addition, the “No Debt Challenge” program offered six 2016 graduates $2,000 transition-to-ministry awards for their efforts to finish school debt-free, bringing a total of 11 students who have now received transition-to-ministry grants. The program will continue for current students through May 2017.